Barbara Nell is an artist and educator living in the Canberra Goulburn region. She has exhibited paintings, drawings and prints throughout Australia and internationally.

Her art practice revolves around investigations of light and movement within an urban environment. Exploring family history and cultural contexts, her work celebrates humanity in unfamiliar environments.

Barbara has undertaking residencies in Italy she is inspired by work depicting the landscape and the celebration of traditional cultural festivals.

The inspiration of history and contemporary life continue to influence Barbara’s art practise. 

“My passion is to see the world with fresh eyes, creating a sense of movement and uncertainty within the work, with room for reflection at the same time. I’m interested in the viewer’s response to that.”

The themes in her work revolve around the figure, in the context of relationships to others and the landscape. The recurring themes of family history and fictional history have continued in new contexts. Inspired by the unfamiliar, new environments, movement, shadows and figures in nature, Barbara’s art practice continues to investigate these themes through painting, drawing and printmaking.

Barbara is the founder and director of Creative Space Goulburn. An art workshop space that welcomes an enable everyone to connect to their creativity. 

Creative Space Goulburn - Art Classes & Workshops in the Southern Tablelands

“This work began in my friend Lucy's garden.”

“It was a weekend away on an amazing property, in the middle of winter.”

“The subtle changes in tone between the bushes, lot in flower and the ones that hadn't been pruned yet, provided me with a satisfying visual challenge.”

“It's always about finding the light and the focal point. When the light is less, the artist works harder.”

“It's a loaded, crowded landscape with a long view into the hills behind. I love juxtaposing this awkward feature together. Near and far gives me comfort in a landscape.”

Barbara Nell, 2024.

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